This blog celebrates the life and work of author Len Deighton.
And today we send good wishes to the author on the occasion of his 97th birthday.
Ever since The Ipcress File was published in 1962, his books have never been out of print, and Len Deighton can firmly count himself among the 'greats' in terms of British spy fiction.
Even after three decades or so of retirement, his books and characters still resonate with readers: here are a few anonymised missives received today over on the Deighton Dossier Facebook group from readers around the world.
"You're not just one of the greatest ever spy fiction writers; you're one of the greatest English writers since the war."
"Thanks for the decades of pleasure reading your books"
"You are always my reply when anyone asks me: 'Who is your favourite author?'"
"I'll be putting Spy Story in my suitcase for a cruise next week. Fabulous."
"Truly excellent writer"
"I can honestly say Len's writing has enriched my life."
"My life is richer for having read [your works]"
"A superb author"
"Truly, the poet of the spy story"
... and others besides these.
There remains a lot of affection for his books, and his contribution to popular culture, from readers around the world.
Happy birthday, Len!
Happy bithday to Len Deighton from me too.
ReplyDeleteHe set the trend in 1960s by writing for the readers.
Fleming did that too in 1950s, but his hero James Bond cold not be contained by mere words on a page and he leaped into the wide screen.
The above trend served him right when his paper back novels were read by commuters in a train or tube in Britain. That trend gradually disappeared as the wide screen version of novels took over. Le Carre managed this new trend very well, as he had a lasting hero in his novels.
Forsyth, who sadly passed away recently, superbly managed the above trend set by Deighton, by producing all his thrillers from a typewriter, although a few of his novels were very successfully translated into wide screens, just like Fleming's novels. But his passion was always the written words, and readers.
This Deightin trend mentioned continued with authors like Alf Wright ( James Herriot) through his very successful veterinary practice -based novels and James Grant ( Lee Child) through his Jack Reacher novels.
I admire him as the best exponent of the spy craft in the realm of divided Berlin during the cold war years.